Kenneth H. Cowan - US grants

The specific aims of the UNMC/Eppley Center for Cancer Research and Cancer Care (UNMC/Eppley Cancer Center) are to carry out interdisciplinary basic and translational research in: 1) Cancer Cause and Prevention, aimed at determining the mechanisms of action of chemical carcinogens, including the mechanisms of activation of carcinogen and their interactions with DNA, the role of potential environmental carcinogens in human cancer, the interaction of oncogenes and chemical carcinogens in tumor initiation and promotion, and the role of dietary factors in causing and preventing cancer; 2) Molecular, Cellular, and Structural Biology, focused on mechanisms of gene transcriptional regulation, characterization of growth factor receptors and their signal transduction mechanisms, the role of oncogene expression in cellular differentiation, mechanisms of viral reproduction and oncogene activation, DNA-protein interactions, and structural characterization of tumor-derived proteins, glycoproteins, and mucins; and 3) Developmental Therapeutics, directed at isolation and characterization of tumor- associated antigens and development of monoclonal antibodies to them, development and clinical use of radioimmunoconjugates for cancer diagnosis and treatment, use of autologous bone marrow, peripheral stem cells, and cytokines in bone marrow rescue, the development of oligonucleotide-based therapies for cancer, and the development of tumor vaccines. To achieve these specific aims we have assembled a group of 90 faculty with expertise in chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology, immunology, pathology, virology, pharmacology, toxicology, nutrition, and clinical oncology. In support of this research we have established core laboratory facilities in animal care, cell culture, histology, molecular biology, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, computer services including molecular modeling and DNA and protein data base analysis, microbial mutagenesis, glassware washing, and safety. In addition, we have established a Tissue Procurement Core that supports a region-wide research program on lymphoproliferative diseases. The Core Grant faculty also comprise the nucleus of our NCI-funded Cancer Biology Training Program for the education and research training of predoctoral and postdoctoral students.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is an NCI-designated matrix Clinical Cancer Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) conducting a wide range of basic, clinical, translational and population science cancer research. The Cancer Center Director reports directly to the Chancellor of UNMC, and also serves as Director of the Eppley Institute for Cancer Research, a multidisciplinary basic cancer research institute with 30 faculty. NCI-defined peer-reviewed funding for the Cancer Center is currently $23.93 million (annual direct costs), a 2.2 fold increase since 1999, with $18.5 million from NIH (2.4 fold increase since 1999) and $5.99 million from NCI (25% increase). Since the last review, the Cancer Center has pursued vigorous, but strategic, recruitment resulting in 35 new cancer research faculty (22 basic science and 13 clinical/translational researchers) adding significant strength in several key research areas including cancer genetics, animal models, DNA repair, cell signaling, and structural biology. The Cancer Center continues to enjoy outstanding support from the state of Nebraska and UNMC. In 2003, state and institutional support to the Cancer Center was $13.95 million. State support provided resources for faculty recruitment and shared resource enhancements, including a new 600 MHz NMR, a gene array facility, an X-ray crystallography facility, and upgrades to the animal facility. A new UNMC 286,000 sq ft research building (to open 2/04) will allow consolidation of prostate cancer, cancer genetics and drug delivery research programs. In 2003, the Cancer Center was also assigned an additional 43,000 sq ft of research space to allow continued growth, bringing the total amount of space under the authority of the Director to 200,000 sq ft. The Cancer Center has three dynamic research programs: 1) Cancer Genes and Molecular Regulation;2) Molecular and Biochemical Etiology of Cancer;and 3) Experimental Therapeutics. Translational research is facilitated through several multidisciplinary disease-oriented working groups including breast cancer, prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, and hematological malignancies. The Cancer Center also supports fourteen shared resources: Animal Care, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Cell Analysis, Clinical Trials Office, Confocal Microscopy, Histology, Laboratory Support, Mass Spectrometry, Molecular Biology, Monoclonal Antibody, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Safety, and Tissue Procurement.

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): [unreadable] The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is committed to pursue a standard of excellence in animal research. Maintaining accreditation by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) is one of the means used by UNMC to measure accomplishment of this objective. Comparative Medicine (CM) was reorganized to its present configuration on August 1,2001 to consolidate and centralize the animal care program for all biomedical animal research and teaching on the UNMC campus and 1 off-campus location. CM supports animal care programs encompassing 5 separate animal facilities and 3 dedicated surgical facilities on the Omaha campus and 1 off-campus location, and supports animal research for the faculty of 4 colleges, 1 school, 2 institutes, 9 centers and Graduate Studies. In fiscal year 2001-02, CM provided animal resource services to over 82 principal investigators with over 475 animal protocols. Grant awards for the UNMC Campus totaled $50.8M including $27.8M in NIH funding, a 107% increase over the previous five years. UNMC's goal is to obtain an annual total of $100M in research funding around the year of 2005. UNMC received $10M in federal research grants during the second quarter of fiscal year 2002-2003. Approximately 99.9% percent of the animal use at UNMC occurs on the main campus complex. Approximately 16, 952 sq. ft. of space is currently under renovation in building 4230 to provide a campus-wide remote rodent quarantine and re-derivation facility that will utilize flexible film isolators for animal holding. A new 43, 821 sq. ft. animal facility, at Durham Research Center (DRC) is under construction on the West end of the campus. Our second largest vivarium on the main campus, the Eppley Cancer Center (UECC), was built in 1972. The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research integrated the UECC animal care personnel, equipment, and facilities under CM in 2001. Significant investments in ventilated microisolator caging and hoods have since been made to increase animal housing density in existing space. UECC's two existing autoclaves need to be replaced with larger capacity machines to accommodate the tremendous changes that have occurred in this "state of the art" care available for animals. Additional high-density housing is not possible due to the limitations of the undersized autoclaves. These limitations have also weakened the barrier housing, which undermines our ability to provide enough viral antibody free rodents for research if not corrected in the near future. This facility, therefore, has the highest renovation priority on the UNMC campus. This proposal will provide information relative to this renovation and completion of the project will allow UNMC to provide improved quantity and quality animal housing for research animals at the UECC. [unreadable] [unreadable]

neoplasm /cancer

DESCRIPTION (adapted from the application): All cancer-related protocols involving a UNMC faculty member or a UNMC Eppley Cancer Center member require review by the Scientific Review Committee. The mission of the Scientific Review Committee is complementary to that of the institutional Review Board (IRB). It does not duplicate or overlap the responsibilities of the IRB, which focuses on the protection of human subjects. The IRB will not issue a full approval for any cancerrelated study involving human subjects without first receiving notice of full approval from the Scientific Review Committee which attests that all scientific requirements for the study have been met. The Scientific Review Committee focuses on the scientific merit, prioritization, and progress of the research. The specific objective of the Scientific Review Committee include: ? Review scientific merit of cancer-related research involving human subjects at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center. ? Foster development of innovative, collaborative, and scientifically sound studies which focus on the prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer including long-term follow-up and supportive care. ? Aid investigators in the establishment of the prioritization of studies and assure optimal allocation of the Cancer Center clinical and community resources. ? Assist investigators in the development and conduct of clinical cancer studies in conjunction with the Clinical Trials Office. ? Monitor progress of protocols relative to study objectives. ? Monitor accrual, data collection, and safety in conjunction with the Data Safety and Monitoring Committee and the Audit Committee. ? Provide a standard protocol format for submission and review.

Abstract Not Provided.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The Cancer Center has entered a dynamic growth phase with the recruitment of 35 faculty in the past four years. During this period, the Cancer Center has provided significant resources (space and/or financial) for the recruitment of nineteen faculty. CCSG developmental funds were used to support nine of these faculty. Each of the nine faculty recruited with CCSG developmental funds has peer-reviewed funding amounting to $11.28 million (total direct costs). In 2003, the Chancellor of UNMC has given the Cancer Center an additional 43,000 sq. ft. of research space to continue its growth and development over the next five years. In 2002, the state of Nebraska enacted legislation, the Nebraska Tobacco Settlement Funds for Biomedical Research, which will provide significant resources (at least $4.8 million annually) to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for recruitment. Over the next five years, the Cancer Center plans to recruit new faculty in the Eppley Institute for Cancer Research as well as in basic, clinical and population science departments at UNMC. Over the next five years the Cancer Center plans to recruit at least 12 additional faculty in basic cancer research, 5-7 new faculty in clinical/translational research, and at least three additional faculty in cancer epidemiology, control, and prevention. CCSG Developmental funds will be used to support the recruitment of new Cancer Center faculty. The Cancer Center also utilizes resources from the state of Nebraska (including LB595, LB506, and the Nebraska Research Initiative) and philanthropy to provide support for recruitment, pilot projects, and enhancements of shared resources.

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This University of Nebraska Medical Center proposal describes a plan to renovate the entire interior of the 52,900-square-foot Eppley Cancer Institute building. Opened in 1963, most of the research taking place in the building focused on testing carcinogens and toxins on animals, and the majority of the structure was devoted to animal housing and testing. Forty years later, very little updating and remodeling have been done in the building, and all systems are at the end of their service lives. However, the outreach and mission of the Eppley Institute have grown and changed tremendously. The institute is now the academic unit of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center, a university-wide matrixbased cancer research organization that is one of 61 NCI-designated Clinical Cancer Centers in the country. The Eppley Institute's research focus has changed from animal testing to molecular and cellular biology research in cancer, including development of transgenic animal models for cancer research. The purpose of this project is to remove the antiquat34d, inefficient and deteriorating facilities in the ECI building and replace them with state-of-the-art laboratory, administrative and conference space. This complete renovation of the interior of the ECI building will provide facilities to retain and support the innovative work of current funded investigators;successfully recruit and provide laboratories for the additional funded investigators necessary to reach its research growth objectives;maintain its leadership in biological and clinical cancer research.

The Protocol Review and Monitoring System (PRMS) of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center (ECC) provides central management and oversight functions for all cancer related clinical trials conducted by members of the Cancer Center. PRMS functions are carried out by the PRMS Scientific Review Committee (SRC) and Audit Committee (AC).

The Senior Leadership of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center consists of the Cancer Center Director, and five Associate Directors. The Cancer Center Director is responsible for the overall management of the Cancer Center and the research programs of the Cancer Center. The Director has authority over Cancer Center space and oversees the comprehensive operations of oncology clinical services for the Cancer Center in our affiliated hospital, The Nebraska Medical Center.

The Centralized Protocol and Data Management Unit (CPDMU) is a Cancer Center Shared Resource widely used by members performing clinical and translational trials. The CPDMU, which was formerly known as the Clinical Trials Office at the last CCSG review, plays a central role in clinical/translational research in the Cancer Center. The primary mission of the CPDMU is to provide the necessary components and support to conduct high-quality clinical cancer research at the Cancer Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, as well as UNMC affiliated hospitals (The Nebraska Medical Center, Children's Hospital Medical Center, Veterans Administration Hospital), and at Cancer Center Affiliate sites across the state. The CPDMU provides a centralized resource to facilitate the development, conduct, quality assurance monitoring, compliance with regulatory agency requirements, and evaluation of clinical research at the Cancer Center. All cancer related research proposals flow through the protocol development process established and administered by the CPDMU and are subsequently sent for review to the Protocol Review and Monitoring System (PRMS), the PRMS Scientific Review Committee (SRC) and to the IRB. The CPDMU database of clinical trials also provides support for the PRMS SRC and Audit Committee (AC) and for the Data and Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC).

The overall goal of the Structural Biology (SB) Facility is to apply stnjctural techniques to the analysis of important cancer-related biological macromolecules, to provide basic knowledge of disease mechanism, drive research and direct the synthesis of novel therapeutics. In the last renewal, this Facility was limited to NMR-based structural biology. Since then, the NMR facility merged with the PrEP, CSG, and X-ray crystallography data collection facilities to form a stronger facility that is used by more cancer center members. The SB Facility was initiated five years ago, through funding from the Nebraska Research Initiative (NRI) and the Vice Chancellor for Research. Expanding use by Eppley Cancer Center (ECC) members and its important role in supporting the science of the Cancer Center has led to its designation as a new cancer center core facility beginning in 2008.

Cancer Center Support Grant; UNMC Eppley Cancer Center;

The Eppley Cancer Center has a well established system for program planning and evaluation that is driven by the Cancer Center strategic plan. The three major leadership groups of the Cancer Center, which includes the Senior Leadership Committee (SLC), External Advisory Board (EAB) and Internal Advisory Board (lAB), provide the means by which the Director and the Cancer Center Senior Leadership conduct program planning and evaluation on an ongoing basis, consistent with the strategic plan.

At the time of the last CCSG review, the Cancer Center included a Histology Shared Resource and a Tissue Procurement Shared Resource. The Histology Facility was managed by the Eppley Cancer Center and the Tissue Procurement Shared Resource was managed by the UNMC Department of Pathology/Microbiology. After a review of the facilities by the Senior Leadership Team and the External Advisory Board, it was decided to explore new opportunities for increasing technical capabilities and reducing costs. After reviewing all options, it was determined to consolidate campus resources into a single Tissue Science Facility. The consolidated facility has been organized under the Department of Pathology/Microbiology and has been expanded to provide more comprehensive services such as tissue processing and histology services. Most importantly the facility will now provide immunohistochemistry procedures to Cancer researchers in the Eppley.

The Eppley Institute of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center maintains a Laboratory Support Shared Resource. The main component provides glassware washing services to all Eppley Institute faculty members with laboratories In the Eppley Cancer Institute Building (ECI), Eppley Science Hall (ESH), Lied Transplant Center (LTC) and the Durham Research Center 11 (DRC 11). In addition, personnel who are involved in running this core provide services such as autoclaving, and provision of triple-distilled water. The benefits of this Shared Resource are that duplication of effort is minimized, equipment use. e.g. autoclaves, is optimized and quality is maintained, e.g. distilled water. Terence Lawson, Ph.D. is the Director for this Shared Resource. Dr. Lawson holds a B.Sc. degree in Biochemistry (University of Aberdeen) and a Ph.D. in Experimental Pathology (University of Leeds).

The purpose of this Monoclonal Antibody Facility Is to develop, produce and characterize monoclonal antibodies. To accomplish this, the facility has developed a large repertoire of protocols, from animal work to purification of genetically engineered antibodies. In addition, the facility devotes its research and development efforts to the improvement of its services.

The mission of the Molecular Biology Facility is to support research in the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center by providing reagents, services, equipment, technical expertise, and training in molecular biology. The Facility continues to provide small- and large-scale DNA synthesis and purification to Cancer Center investigators.

Administrative services at the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center are defined broadly to include overall management and planning, support of Cancer Center research programs and core facilities, information systems, facilities, and general administrative and financial management. The Cancer Center's Administration is comprised of the following: 1)a Business and Finance Office (finance, research administration and human resources), 2) Outreach and Public Affairs, 3) Information Technology Services and 4) Administrative Support. Administration is integral to the success of the Cancer Center meeting its goals and objectives.

Developmental funds provide essential base of support for the strategic initiatives of the Cancer Center consistent with its overall planning processes. For the next project period, the Cancer Center is requesting a support for continued recruitment of new Cancer Center faculty investigators.

UNMC is a HIPAA covered entity and as such follows the HIPAA regulations regarding the use and disclosure of protected health information. In accordance with the NIH policy on Data Sharing, the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center has established policies and implementation plan for data sharing.

The Confocal Shared Laser Scanning Microscope Facility (CLSMF) has been active on the UNMC campus since 1996 when it was established through institutional funding. The objectives of the CLSMF are as follows: 1. To fill the need for high resolution image analysis of both live and fixed tissue and cultured cells. 2. To provide training in the use of analysis tools for live cell component analysis of FRET, FRAP and FLIP experiments. 3. To provide essential hard and software for analysis of collected data. 4. To provide the expertise needed both in preparing materials for microscopic examination and in carrying out image generation and analysis The CLSMF is located on the first floor of the Durham Research Center (DRC), Room 1056. The facility contains two Zeiss Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopes. One is a fully motorized LSM 510 META equipped with an Argon Laser (458/477/448/514 nm), a DPSS 561 nm and a HeNe 633nm as well as Nomarski optics. This allows superimposition of signals from fluorphores to be overlain on a DlC image of the cells. Zeiss software is available for collection and analysis of FRET, FRAP and FLIP data, reconstruction of 3-D images, Z-sections, time series, etc. Images can be stored directly on CDs, DVDs, etc. or sent directly to Biomedical Communications by network transfer for production of high resolution dye sublimation prints, slides, posters and illustrations. The Zeis Axiovert inverted microscope used with this system has lOx, 20x, 40x oil, 62x oil and 40x water objectives and a Z-axis motor as well as an xy stage motor. All functions are computer automated. In addition, controlled environment chambers (moisture, C02 levels, temperature) are available for studies of live cells. Judith K. Christman, Ph.D. Is the Facility Director. She has extensive experience in developing immunohistochemistry protocols and In analyzing confocal images. These skills enable her to advise users as to how to optimize their use of confocal microscopy for a variety of different cells and tissues.

The Cell Analysis Facility (CAF) is a fee for service flow cytometry shared resource operating to provide research flow cytometry services to investigators. The goal of the CAF is to provide comprehensive data collection, data analysis, data interpretation, cell sorting, and education in flow cytometry to all Interested investigators. In addition, the facility provides support for proper sample preparation, as well as education in theory and practice of flow cytometry. The CAF provides state of the art flow cytometry support in all areas of established protocols and continually develops new applications guided by investigator needs. Routine analyses include immunophenotyping, DNA/Cell Cycle determinations, fluorescent protein expression, multiple bead based assays for secreted proteins and cell sorting in bulk or single cell cloning. Given the complexity of the equipment, the CAF personnel assist investigators in the design and interpretation of multi laser, multi parametric experiments. The Cell Analysis Facility, located in a 1200 square foot laboratory in the Durham Research Center I (DRCI) Building, was established in 1980 with the aid of a NIH Shared Instrument Grant and a matching grant from the University of Nebraska Foundation. Current instrumentation in the CAF consists of two (2) 4 laser, 15 color BD Bioscience FACS Aria cell sorters, a 4 laser, 15 color BD Biosciences LSR II, three (3) 2 laser, 4 color BD Biosciences FACS Calibur flow cytometers and a 2 laser, 4 color FACS Array. The 4 color BD Biosciences FACS Calibur flow cytometers have served as the main facility instrument for analysis. The increased demand for sorting prompted the purchase of two (2) Becton Dickinson FACS Aria Cell Sorters and a Miltenyi AutoMACS magnetic bead cell sorter during the past 5 years. Additionally, the CAF provides wet lab space for Investigator or facility initiated sample preparation, incubator space for sample storage prior to and following sorting application, and microscopes (fluorescent and bright field) for viewing cells prior to and following sample preparation activities. In support of these instruments, the CAF provides three workstations with additional copies of Modfit, Flowjo, Cellquest and Diva for post acquisition data analysis and graphic generation for publications and grant submissions. Charles Kuszynski, Ph.D. has been the facility director for the Cell Analysis Facility for 30 years. He has significant experience in developing protocols and analyzing data, and he was trained by Becton Dickinson as a field engineer to maintain the instrumentation in the laboratory.

The goal of the Biostatistics Shared Resource of the UNMC Eppley Cancer Center is to participate in the research mission of the institution by making the expertise and experience of its personnel available to Cancer Center members for planning, conducting and reporting of basic, translational, clinical, and population-based research projects. James C. Lynch, Ph.D., and Jane L. Meza, Ph.D serve as the co-directors of the facility. Dr. Lynch has directed the Biostatistics Shared Resource since its establishment and serves as a member of the Scientific Review Committee. Dr. Lynch is also a Senior Statistician for the Non- Hodgkin Lymphoma Committee of the Children's Oncology Group. As Co-Director for the Biostatistics Shared Resource, Dr. Lynch serves as the primary statistician for the Scientific Review Committee. Dr. Meza, became Co-Director of the Biostatistics Shared Resource in 2008. She is the Director of the Biostatistics Core for the Cancer Center's Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) in pancreatic cancer and Director for the Center for Collaboration on Research Design and Analysis. Dr. Meza is also a Senior Statistician for the Children's Oncology Group, working with the Cancer Control, Nursing and Soft Tissue Sarcoma committees. Drs. Lynch and Meza serve as the primary contacts between the Biostatistics Share Resource and the Cancer Center.

The Bioinformatics Facility provides Cancer Center researchers with computational and informatics tools, such as commercial and in-house developed databases, software packages, high-performance computational clusters, servers, and workstations. The hardware and software resources are available to the end-users of the facility 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. The staff of the facility provides consultations for utilization of molecular modeling techniques, bioinformatics and biomedical informatics tools and methods, participates in collaborative research, and teaches bioinformatics-related disciplines. The staff of the facility develops and supports cancer-specific registries, and deploys the cancer Biomedical Informatics Grid (caBIG¿) infrastructure and tools. In addition, the facility staff educates investigators on the requirements, standards and approaches that enhance data collection, management, mining, and sharing.

Project Summary/Abstract: Overall The Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center (Buffett Cancer Center or FPBCC) at the University of Nebraska Medical Center is committed to developing new strategies for the treatment and prevention of cancer through innovative interdisciplinary research, premier educational programs, the highest quality patient care, and outreach to underserved populations. The Buffett Cancer Center is dedicated to reducing the burden of cancer through interdisciplinary translational cancer research leading to new therapies for cancer treatment as well as enhancing the well-being of cancer survivors. As the only NCI-designated Cancer Center in Nebraska, we are very sensitive to the needs of the underserved populations in our catchment area (across the state of Nebraska and western Iowa), including women, minorities and children as well as the medically underserved rural residents in our region. The 84 members of the Buffett Cancer Center are actively involved in the interdisciplinary FPBCC Research Programs including the Molecular and Biochemical Etiology Program (MBEP), the Cancer Genes and Molecular Regulation Program (CGMR), and the Gastrointestinal Cancer Program (GICP). The FBPCC is a matrix with Members in each of the Colleges and Institutes at UNMC, as well as Members at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and the University of Nebraska - Omaha. The FPBCC Director also leads the Eppley Cancer Institute, with 30 tenure/tenure-leading faculty appointments. The FPBCC Director reports directly to the Chancellor of UNMC and serves on the UNMC Chancellor's Council and the Nebraska Medicine's Senior Leadership Team, the two most senior and responsible cabinets of the the academic and the clinical enterprise. A new $323 M Buffett Cancer Center (625,000 gsf) will open in 2017 integrating cancer research and care in one facility and provide ample room FPBCC growth. Since the last review, the FPBCC enhanced interdisciplinary research collaborations by providing support for recruitment of 30 new Members (including the co-leaders of the GICP and the Director of the Bioinformatics Shared Resource), for enhancements to shared research facilities, and for pilot funding for collaborative multidisciplinary research projects. The FPBCC has a robust track record of transdisciplinary cancer research and strong evidence of collaborations bridging all of the Research Programs. Buffett Cancer Center research has resulted in 1409 publications of which 23% are inter-programmatic collaborations, 23% are intra-programmatic collaborations and 9% are both. FPBCC externally funded cancer research portfolio which currently exceeds $34.3 M annually in peer-reviewed support (> 46% NCI) demonstrates university-wide transdisciplinary cancer research collaborations by Buffett Cancer Center Members focused on resolving cancer-related problems.

Project Summary/Abstract: Administrative Core FPBCC Administration (Part I) oversees the overall management, planning, and support of FPBCC Research Programs and Core Facilities, information systems, space, and general administrative and financial management needs of the Cancer Center's mission. The FPBCC's Associate Director for Administration and External Affairs oversees the Cancer Center's administrative unit, which includes the business and finance services, Cancer Center and faculty administration support, information technology services, and facility management and maintenance. FPBCC Senior Leadership (Part II) roles include a Director and Associate Directors for Clinical Research, Basic Research, Education and Training, and Administration and External Affairs. The Senior Leadership Council meets monthly to discuss Cancer Center business and initiatives, including but not limited to: identifying translational research opportunities, faculty recruitment, clinical trial accrual, Cancer Center membership, and the distribution of Cancer Center space and other resources, training initiatives, and how best to serve the FPBCC's catchment area.